A unit of Lasting Forests evolving since March 30, 1999
A Total Forest Management Plan and Wildland Management Decision Support System
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Forest Wildlife - A Brief Note

Forests have more species of fauna than other land use categories in Virginia. If any land were left unattended (after farming, fire, etc.) it will probably become a forest (in Virginia). Different species are well adapted for living in each stage of forest growth (the age of the stand). Cardinals, for example, are abundant in the early years; warblers are abundant in the older forest. Timber management practices over a large area are the main influence on forest wildlife. Some practices favor young-age trees, others favor those that are old. All aspects of forest management influence wildlife species present as well as their abundance. Timber harvests, for example, let light reach the forest floor and favor the understory plants upon which many animals, including their predators feed. By careful harvests ... area, timing, and location ... a stable overall forest condition can result to which wild fauna will respond favorably.

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.